VXR Vauxhalls have been a bit patchy in the past. Astra and Corsa – hairy fun. Meriva and Vectra – clunky overpowered pointlessness. But this summer’s 300bhp 4WD Insignia VXR could be a bit of a belter. Dunno if anyone will have the cash to buy it, but fun anyway.

Vauxhall isn’t releasing official details yet, but here’s what intel has come Foreman’s way. The engine is a turbo V6. To tame the traditional VXR waywardness, it gets a sophisticated 4WD system, and the option of 20-inch wheels with Brembo brakes. Inside, there are huge semi-racing Recaro seats.

The front and rear styling is surprisingly close to the Opel GTC Concept car (pictured), which is pretty horny. The wheels are exactly the same, too.

And underneath it all, the Insignia is a good car. Yes, a hot version goes right against the spirit of the age, and it’ll probably depreciate like a rock lobbed down a mineshaft. But what the heck, we’re secretly looking forward to it.

Steve – I expect this Vectra VXR to cost about the same as a four-cylinder Audi A4 Quattro, match it for spec, and go a lot faster.
Vauxhall has the VXR8 to take on the 500bhp cars. They just announced a supercharged VXR8 today, with a 560bhp V8 for £45,000.

Looking like that I really want it to work but I’m not sure Vauxhall have the experience of jazzing up cars from that segment. Fast Astras and Corsas are fun – even the original Nova could be entertaining and the Chevette HS was a blast – but the hotter Vectras were always very disappointing to drive. Going further back the Cavalier SRi had its moments but apart from the Lotus Carlton I can’t think of a rep car that Vauxhall have made better by making it faster.

I think the problem might come if they try to hedge their bets by striking too much of a balance between the base car and the performance variants. The rebadged Holdens are looneytunes from the ground up and so work well – you’re prepare to overlook the quirks fo the sake of the fun to be had – but the Vectra VXR was a complete pig when it came to pressing on.. and it wasn’t that great in plain clothers to start with.

:ets hope that Vauxhall take note of Ford’s RS ethic, by starting with a decent car and then aiming for what they want rather than negotiating compromises.

why did i enter that at that point?
continuing, the VXR above looks like it will be more like what the RS Cosworth started, which is a good thing. a very good thing… except it won’t be as unique, ridiculous and rare.

Wha? Oh yeah, the Insignia VXR. When you said turbo V6 & 4WD, I started thinking GT-R. But with a meagre 300bhp, it’s more a rival to S4 than RS6.

They should make a 4-Door version. I know it would be similar to the VXR8, but that’s really just a brutish drift monkey – not a bad thing, that, but, as previously discussed, it’s no M5 – whereas the Insignia VXR could be the more serious one.

It is interesting that most slander the VXR against an M5. Bang for buck, it is unbeatable, but it is unreasonable to expect a cheap large sports saloon better in every way than a very expensive large sports saloon. The fact the VXR is considered in the same company as an M5 & AMG should suggest it is a Very Good Thing.

PS. Gus, the Pontiac is a watered down version of the UK or Australian versions. Less power, soggier suspension.

I think the VXR8 is a stormer, especially in white with the right wheels. I had a good look over the one at the motor show, and the only thing I didn’t like was that the side bolsters of the seats seemed to be made of cheese. I had no confidence they’d stop you bouncing off the door in a tight corner, or ending up with a gearstick inserted inconveniently in you.. AKA ‘doing a Clarkson’ ;)

Ok – The real issue here is that Opel / Vauxhall call it what you will have largely built complete crap for the past few years, think Vectra!

There are two reasons for this: GM cost cutting and cars being built for accountants not drivers.

Back to the Insignia: Seen a few on the road and they look cheap and nasty, if you de-badged it most people would guess it was a Daewoo or whatever they are calling it this week. The quick Vectra was dreadful so I wouldn’t hold up hope this will be any better but 4wd may help as GM just don’t build good front wheel drive cars.

I work in the motor trade and I know of Vauxhall mechanics and service managers that will not buy Vauxhalls – enough said.

In rest of Europe Vauxhall is called Opel…
And this car could be new Opel Calibra,and that would be very cool.New Audi A5,Laguna Coupe,407 Coupe,Brera,Vauxhall should have a car in that class.With Insignia quality,2.0 turbo,and sporty handling,it would be Vauxhall’s ticket to the top…
Belive me,I know.

Looks the business in White .
I just hope it goes like stink and that it handles great.
Maybe a performance upgrade may be avialable in time to take it over 400bhp, id like to see an engine from the VXR8 dropped in it with 500bhp plus and the 4wd !!

As long as Vauxhall keep it affordable then it will sell if it is overpriced in the present financial climate then it will struggle, this is why it must be an outstanding car and be worth the outlay in cash that GM will probably be asking for it.

Its a pity that GM have decided to drop the 3 door GTC that car was a sexy looker and in my eyes looked like a toned down Bentley GT Coupe.

I just hope they realise that that would sell and become a modern day Opel Monza and in time an Icon Coupe.

the whole point of the car I think is that for the person who wants a very fast, good looking car for a high but reasonable price is silly they need a car which can compete with the 250 MPH cars that are on sale now and for a high price for the million airs out there

i think that insignia is so cool:)it combines beauty with technology and speed. i think it’s one of the best cars ever made in Human history but as some guys said it should have been faster.But if you are not a F1 driver it’s fast enough for you to enjoy!!!!!:)